How do I help my horse with joint problems?

There are many horses with joint problems. This can be due to wear and tear, injuries, their build, or less than optimal conditions when they were young. Whatever the cause, as a horse owner, you have to deal with it! And so does your horse. What can you do for your horse with joint problems, such as arthritis, OCD, and kissing spines?

Joint problems come in different shapes and sizes. An older horse that is a bit slow to get going may have a mild form of arthritis in some areas of its legs. There's nothing unusual about that, as we humans often face this as we age. But a young horse with joint problems is less common. In that case, you might think of OC, overloading, or an injury.

Arthritis in horses

Arthritis is a condition that affects the cartilage in the joints and is also referred to as joint wear and tear. Arthritis can sometimes cause pain and stiffness. As a horse ages, the cartilage, which acts as a cushion between the bones in the joints, can wear down and become thinner. This is a natural process. In younger horses, cartilage can thin due to uneven loading, compensation, or deficiencies in certain minerals. Often, arthritis is also associated with chronic inflammation in the affected joint. A horse with arthritis in its legs often has difficulty getting started and typically moves stiffly and with short steps. Arthritis in the SI joint is also common, often caused by the horse compensating for a crooked pelvis or hips. This arthritis is often only noticeable when the horse starts taking uneven steps, lifting one hip higher than the other, or refusing to bend. Arthritis in the neck is also common, especially in horses that are forced into a certain head position. This can lead to wear and tear on the third neck vertebra or in the transition between the chest and neck. Arthritis in the neck can cause the horse to move irregularly, as the neck can no longer be used properly to maintain balance.

OC and OCD in horses

OC and OCD often occur in foals or young horses during rearing. There is a genetic component to these conditions. In OC, something goes wrong in bone formation from cartilage, a process that occurs during the horse's growth. The joints then do not form correctly, often resulting in 'flattening'. In OCD, this process goes so far that loose pieces of bone (chips) are present in the joint. These chips can cause pain and inflammation if they end up in the wrong place in the joint. The formation of OC can be (partly) counteracted by ensuring plenty of free movement and adequate minerals in the diet of the pregnant mare, the foal, and the young horse.

Kissing spines

Horses have relatively long processes, known as spinous processes, on their back vertebrae. These are the 'bones' that you can feel on your horse's spine. Normally, these processes are a few millimeters apart. With kissing spines, the processes touch each other, causing damage to the bone, irritation, and pain. This condition can have a genetic cause, but incorrect body use and training can also lead to kissing spines. Kissing spines can be identified by X-rays. Kissing spines cannot be cured, but the irritation can be reduced and further damage prevented. Suitable training is important, with the horse learning to move well over its back. By engaging the abdominal muscles, the back arches, and the processes move further apart during movement.

Crystal formation in the joints

During heavy or prolonged exercise, crystals of uric acid often form in the joints of sport horses, also due to stress. These crystals can cause painful inflammation in the joints, as well as between the muscle layers and tendon sheets. Uric acid is released during protein metabolism, and when a large amount is released at once, this substance forms sharp crystals. In humans, this joint condition is called 'gout'. The body often struggles to quickly eliminate the uric acid and crystals, leading to stiffness and reduced load capacity in your horse. Herbs can help prevent this crystal formation. A better-adjusted training schedule can also bring relief.

Supporting a horse with joint problems

Once your horse has joint problems, there are several ways to help. What you do depends on the specific issue your horse is facing. A horse with an injury or overloading must, of course, first receive (active) rest, in consultation with your veterinarian. You should also carefully consider a building and training schedule. Because the mineral silicon plays an incredibly important role in the formation of cartilage, joint fluid, bones, collagen, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, this is the first thing you could add if your horse has joint problems. Hydrolyzed liquid silicon is easily absorbed by horses, but it takes a while to see the effects of this supplement. When a horse has arthritis or other joint inflammations, cannabinoids can be a great addition. These plant-based substances have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. To combat uric acid in the joints, you can give a course of plant extracts. The herbs suppress crystal formation and stimulate the production of cartilage fluid, the lubricant for the joints. Herbs suitable for this purpose include turmeric, Boswellia, black currant, horsetail, and bamboo. A herbal extract also works preventively.

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